Texas A&M's Jim Schlossnagle jokes with SEC Network crew as multiple Aggie outfielders make diving catches

Jim Schlossnagle has not been a fan of the SEC Network interviews during the conference tournament. That’s because things were always going the other way for Texas A&M whenever he put on the headset.

However, those tables seemed to turn today during his interview with the broadcast crew in the fourth inning. First, he reminded the announcers that they owed him some pricey meals for what they’d already cost him and his team in Hoover this week.

“Mike Andersons. Baton Rouge,” said Schlossnagle. “And, (Dave) Neal, when you come to College Station? (The) Republic.”

Then, soon after, the run of bad luck was ended by a diving catch from Jace LaViolette. At that point, Schlossnagle conceded that they had finally found some good luck even though his roster was pleading for him to skip the interview.

“We broke the streak,” Schlossnagle said. “Our players were just telling me, ‘No, don’t talk to them!'”

Moments later, Jordan Thompson had a similar diving catch in the outfield. That’s when Schlossagle himself suggested that the interview continue if things were going to keep rolling that way for his defense.

“You guys want to keep this going?,” he asked.

Now, with A&M up 4-0 in the top of the fifth against South Carolina, Schlossnagle is a much happier man after joining the broadcast. Still, he ended by reminding the crew that those meals are still owed to him at some point down the line.

“I look forward to those meals, fellas!”

Schlossnagle applauds early, youthful pitching in SEC Tournament

As far as the actual interview, Schlossngale started by praising his pitching rotation so far in Hoover. They’ve been getting the job done and been doing so as a unit.

“I think Dettmer’s still in and out. But, obviously, that was a big outing for Wansing the other day, Justin’s been super consistent for us as a young pitcher,” said Schlossnagle. “And we pulled Justin out of our bullpen in the rotation. I think he was good against Florida and really good against Mississippi State. So we’re excited. If we can be on today and on this week, we’re excited about our chances.”

After that, Schlossnagle commented on the youth of some of his pitchers this season. He said there’s a learning curve that they all have to go through but, over time, their development matches up with the skill set that he knows they all have, specifically Justin Lamkin.

“I think Justin came in as an elite strike thrower. Then he was throwing strikes and got knocked around a little bit. And then they tried to be perfect because they get afraid to throw the ball in the zone. (But) I think he’s circled back a little bit,” Schlossnagle said. “If he can continue to throw strikes, I like our chances. But he’s going to be a really good pitcher for us in the years to come.”